THOUSANDS of pounds have been raised for much-needed equipment at a hospital's emergency assessment unit.

Perrywood Tiptree’s coffee shop and restaurant team’s fundraising will allow Colchester Hospital to get a new ultrasound machine.

The staff donate all of their tips to charity every year.

This year they gave £5,750 to the hospital and Christopher Kenworthy, a long-time customer, donated a further £1,250 in memory of his wife, bringing the total to £7,000.

The team at the garden centre have been donating all their tips earned in the coffee shop and restaurant since 2018.

A total of £21,040 has been donated since they started making the donations.

The garden centre is a family-run business with centres in Tiptree and Sudbury.

Over the years the coffee shop and restaurant team has provided the ultrasound machine, 154 fans, Christmas presents for patients, dementia boxes, play equipment for the children’s ward, an LED ceiling light and two cardiac machines for the hospital.

Jackie Newton, Perrywood’s group catering manager, said: “Thanks to all our loyal customers for your generosity and support and thanks to our hard-working team who, each year, selflessly donate all their tips.”

The hospital has thanked staff at Perrywood for the donations, which have been used to get necessary equipment for the hospital.

Penny Norris, of Colchester and Ipswich Hospitals Charity, said: “The money collected in customer tips by the coffee shop and restaurant team at Perrywood Tiptree has had a big impact in many wards and departments at Colchester Hospital.

“The latest wonderful donation, towards an ultrasound machine to use in the emergency assessment unit, will help staff assess patients when time is of the essence.

“On behalf of our staff, Colchester and Ipswich Hospitals Charity would like thank the team for their kind support.”